Means for phasing distributor brushes in printing telegraphs



June 30, 1942.

J. A. SPENCER 2,288,257

MEANSFOR PHASING DISTRIBUTOR BRUSHES IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHS Filed Sept. 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l w E@ 1L bI -I NMW \INIMNIMNW l N VENTOR.

June 30, 1942. J. A. SPENCER 2,288,257

MEANS FOR PHASINGDISTRIBU'IOR BRUSHES IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHS Filed Sept. 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR. liq/7755' 4. PEA/C5? HTTOPNEY Patented June 30, 1942 MEANS FOR PHASING DISTRIBUTOR BRUSHES IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHS James A. Spencer, Teaneck, N. J., assignor to- Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application September 25, 1940,,Seri'a'l No. 358,236

9 Claims.

In printing telegraphs, the brushes of the receiving distributor must be run in synchronism and phase with those of the transmitting distributor. When these brushes get out of phase it has been necessary to adjust them manually, which is a troublesome operation demanding skilled attention.

It is an object of my invention to provide means for automatically bringing the brushes of the receiving distributor into proper phase relation with the brushes of the transmitting distributor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic phasing arrangement in a single channel printer in combination with a signal storage system to permit the carrying out of the local functions without taking up part of the circuit time.

Other objects will appear in the following description, reference being had to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagramof a single channel printing telegraph transmitter embodying my phasing improvement, certain parts being omitted.

Fig. 2 illustrates the receiver circuit. 7

Fig. 3 is a partial section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 4 showing the relation of mechanical parts of the phasing elements of the receiving distributor. V

Fig. 4 is an illustration of the brush-advancing mechanism of Fig. 3.

My phasing arrangement will be disclosed. in connection with the single channel printing system described in my application on Signal storage in telegraph printer systems, filed Sept. 1'7, 1940, Serial No. 357,109, but certain parts of the transmitter relay circuits therein shown are omitted from the drawings in this case, as they are unnecessary for an understanding of this imrovement. Also, thedetails of the tape transmitter mechanism are omitted, since such details are well known in the art, being shown in my appli ation filed May 28, 1938, Ser'ia'lNo. 210,669, and elsewhere.

In connection with the tape transmitter, it will sufiice to say that for phasing'purposes the tape transmitter H3 will be locked in position with the tongues against the contacts on the negative bus bar I I, while the phasing operation is being carried out.

Switch I2 connects segment No. 1 of the commutator of signal distributor 13 to No. 1 tongue-- of the transmitter. When this switch is in the positionshown in dottedlines in Fig. 1, this circuit isopened and, the No. 1 segment is connected through conductor" I2a to the positive bus bar of the tape transmitter. All other segments of this commutator are connected by their tapetransmitter. tongues to negative potential. In the case of segments-Nos. 5, G'and 7, this connection ismade through relay contacts, not shown.

The local distributor I4 is used to control the tape transmitter, the magnet l5a being'energized when the brushes I5 and I6 are on the fifth-and sixth-contacts, as shown in my said application, Serial No. 357,109, which also shows the relay circuits omitted herefrom.

When the tape transmitter is locked down and switch-.l2 connected to conductor M1, the rotating brush l5will transmit positive pulses from segment No. 1 and negative pulses from all other v segments.

The receiving circuit of Fig, 2 has two distributors I9, 20 and two brushes2l, 22 that must be kept in synchronism and phase with the brushes I5; lBat the transmitter.

Segment No. lofdistributor I9 is connected to the operating coil of relay 23', which has one normally closed switch 24 and two open switches 25,26. Across'the coil of relay 23 is shunted a neon signal lamp 23a.

Of theother segments on distributor i9, Nos. 2 and 3 are connected to the operating coils of relays 21 andi28, respectively, and segments Nos. 4 to 7 are connected to the coils-of printer magnets Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive. The coils of printer magnets Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are connected to the tongues of switches 25, 29 and 3%, respectively. The stationary contacts of these three switches are connected to segment No. 4' of local distributor 20'for the purpose explained in my said application Serial No.,35'7;l09.

The tongues of switches 25, 3! and 32 are connected to positive potential and, their sta tionary contactsare connectedto the highsides of their respective operating coils to establish holding circuits. Thelow sides of the coils of these relays are connected to ground through switch 33 0f relay 3 4. The'operating coil 35 of relay 34 is connected between ground and segment No. f local distributor 29. 0011 35a of' One terminal of holding coil connected through switch 40 of relay 3'! and phasing magnet 4| to ground.

Segment No. I of local distributor 20 is connected through the so-called eighth pulse relay No. 8 to ground. The solid ring of this distributor is connected to positive potential.

The incoming line 42 is connected through the coils of polar relay 43 to ground. One contact on this relay is blank and the other is connected to the solid ring of distributor |9. This is the connection for signals consisting of positive and negative pulses. Obviously, with slight changes the circuit could be used for signals consisting of interrupted current, as well known in the art.

The phasing unit itself is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This unit is connected to the shaft 44, to which are fastened the arms or holders of brushes 2| and 22 of distributors l9 and 20. This shaft is driven by a motor not shown, through worm 45 and gear 46. This gear is fastened to a ratchet pinion 41 journaled. on shaft 44.

A disc 49 is pinned to shaft 44 at one side of ratchet pinion 41 and a thrust bearing collar 59 is pinned to the shaft at the other side. An arcuate ratchet member is pivoted to the disc at 52. A detent 53 on this member engages the teeth on the ratchet pinion 41. A hooked pawl 54 pivoted on member 5| also engages these teeth.

A spring 55 fastened between the disc 49 and one end of member 5| urges the detent 53 into engagement with the teeth. Spring 56 fastened between the disc 49 and the pawl 54 urges the hooked end of pawl 54 into engagement with the teeth. A pawl 57 pivoted to the disc 49 engages the teeth of the ratchet pinion under tension of spring 58.

With the ratchet construction described, the motor drives gear 46 and the latter drives the disc 49 through one of the teeth of the ratchet pinion 4'! and the pawl 51. Since the disc 49 is fastened to shaft 44, the brushes 2| and 22 are rotated by the motor.

The rings of distributors l9 and 20 are secured on the member 59. The members 59 and 60 are shown as the bearing supports of shaft 44. Obviously, the bearings could have anti-friction members such as hearing balls or bronze bushings, but these form no part of the invention and are not shown.

Phasing magnet 4|, fastened to the member 59 has a pivoted armature 62 that clears the end 63 of the ratchet member 5| when the magnet 4| is not energized, spring 64 holding the armature out of the path of that end. When the magnet is energized, the armature 62 is swung into the path of the end 63.

The operation of the phasing device will now be described:

When the operation of the printer shows that the brushes 2| and 22 are not in correct phase relation with the brushes I5, |6 at the transmitter, the operator at the receiver will give a suitable service signal by well-known means not shown and the operator at the transmitter will lock the tape transmitter with the tongues against the negative contacts and will throw the switch |2 to disconnect segment No. I from its tongue on the tape transmitter and connect it to the positive bus bar as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. This will transmit a positive pulse over the connecting link 8 for each revolution of the brushes l5. Thus, mark signals will be sent out when the brushes |5 engage segment No. and space signals will be sent out by all of the other segments.

At the receiver the mark signal from N0. segment will connect positive current to the solid ring of distributor l9 while the space signals will swing the tongue of polar relay 43 to its dead contact.

The receiving operator closes phasing switch 38 momentarily and this energizes coil 36 and 35a of relays 31 and 34. Relay 3'| closes switch 49 and thus energizes its holding coil 39 from positive current flowing through switch 24, relay 23 being de-energized because brushes 2|, 22 are not in phase with brushes l5, I6. The current through the holding coil 39 passes through switch 40 and phasing magnet 4|. This swings the armature 62 (Figs. 3 and 4) into the path of the end 63 and as this end is forced radially inwards, pawl 54 rides over the next tooth. When the end 63 of the rotating arcuate member clears the tip of the armature, spring 55 pivots the member about point 52 and forces the end 63 outwards till detent 53 stops the movement. As the end 63 moves outwards, hooked pawl 54 moves the disc 50 forwards one tooth, which adjustment is held by pawl 51. Thus, for each revolution of the shaft 44, the brushes 2| and 22 are stepped forward one notch in relation to transmitter brushes l5, l6. When the brushes 2|, 22 reach segment No. with brushes l5, l6 on segment No. (proper phase relation relay 23 is energized and switch 24 is opened. This de-energizes relay 3'! and phasing magnet 4|, leaving the receiver brushes and transmitter brushes in correct phase.

Every other segment of the distributor I9 is used for printer connections, so the segments at the receiver are half the length (in degrees) of the segments at the transmitter. It, of course, takes time for the current to build up in the relay and magnet coils, and special provision is made to insure that the center of the incoming phase signal will arrive when the brush is on the center of the receiving segment No. I.

Referring to Fig. 5, 64 indicates the time period of the passage of the transmitter brush l5 over the segments of distributor l3, and 65 indicates the time length of the signal pulse in incoming line 42. At the transmitter this pulse was square, but when received it will have departed from square form. It is desirable to have the center portion defined by dotted lines 66, 61 coincide in time relation with the segment No. 1 at the receiver. This is desirable not only because it is the true phase relation, but also because the center part of the pulse is less distorted.

When the signal pulse has reached the time relation with segment No. 1, as shown in Fig. 5, the relay and magnet coils will have had time to operate their armatures and magnet 4| will be de-energized. The positioning of the parts is such that at this time the end 63 is on top of the tip of the armature 62 and spring 55 therefore gives the pawls a kick forward and brings segment No. 1 within the time period spanned by the dotted lines 66, 6?. This is true because there are fourteen teeth on ratchet pinion 47, each tooth having the same span (degrees) as the segments on the receiving communtator.

When the last kick of the pawl member 5| has been made, the receiving distributor is in correct phase relation with the center of the pulse arriving when the brush is on the center of the receiving segment. Magnet 4| will therefore reoperator at the transmitted will be told that cor rect phasing has been secured. He will then shift switch l2 to No. 1 tongue, unlock the tape transmitted and communication will be resumed.

It will be apparent that this invention is applicable to systems in which the current is interrupted for signaling purposes and also that the transmitter tongues and contacts can be connected to the positive and negative bus bars respectively, the particular connection in the drawings being by way of example only.

The invention, of course, is not to be limited to a seven unit code, as the principles apply to various codes.

I have disclosed my improvement in connection with a single channel system, but it may be used in any other system by appropriate changes, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim 1. In signaling systems for multi unit code signals, transmitting distributor switches, means for closing said switches in uniform cycles, means for sending signals of diiTerent sign through said distributor switches during the cycles thereof representing units of the characters of the message, means for altering the first means to cause it to send a phasing signal of one value at a predetermined point in each cycle and signals of another value at all the remaining points thereof.

2. In a telegraph system, a plurality of distributor switches, means for cyclicly closing the switches, a plurality of printing relays each having its coil connected to one of said distributor switches, a phasing switch opened upon energization of the coil of one only of said relays, a phasing magnet, means for connecting the energizing circuit of said phasing magnet to said phasing switch and means for advancing the time of closure of said distributor switches a predetermined amount for each cycle upon energization of said phasing magnet.

3. In a telegraph system, a receiving distributor having a commutator and brush, means for relatively rotating said commutator and said brush, a plurality of printing relays each having its coil connected to one segment of said commutator, a phasing switch opened upon energization of the coil of one only of said relays, a phasing magnet, means for connecting the energizing circuit of said phasing magnet to said phasing switch and means for altering the phase of said commutator and brush a half segment for each relative revolution thereof.

4. In a telegraph system, a receiving distributor having a commutator and brush, means for relatively rotating said commutator and said brush, a plurality of printing relays each having its coil connected to one segment of said commutator, a phasing switch opened upon energization of the coil of one only of said relays, a phasing magnet, means for connecting the energizing circuit of said phasing magnet to said phasing switch, means for altering the phase of said commutator and brush a half segment for each relative revolution thereof and means for producing an additional altering of the phase of said commutator and said brush after the phasing switch has been opened.

5. In a telegraph system, a distributor comprising a segmented commutator and a brush, driving means for producing relative rotation between said commutator and said brush, a phasing magnet, a switch in the circuit of said magnet adapted to receive a phasing signal, means for altering the phase between said brush and the segments of said commutator once each relative rotation thereof upon energization of said magnet by the phasing signal transmitted through said switch, and means whereby the phase altering means performs an additional alteration of said phase after said switch is opened.

6. In signaling systems for multi unit code signals, transmitting distributor switches, means for closing said switches in uniform cycles, means for sending signals of difierent sign through said distributor switches during the cycles thereof representing units of the characters of the message, means for altering the first means to cause it to send phasing signals of the same sign at a predetermined point in each cycle, means for receiving said signals comprising a plurality of receiving distributor switches and a relay for each unit of the code, means responsive to said phasing signals for advancing the time of the closure of said receiving distributor switches once each cycle thereof and means controlled by said phasing signals for preventing said advancing when the phase of the closure of said receiving distributor switches is identical with that of the closure of said transmitting distributor switches.

7. In signaling systems for multi unit code signals, transmitting distributor switches, means for closing said switches in uniform cycles, means for sending signals of different sign through said distributor switches during the cycles thereof representing units of the characters of the message, means for altering the first means to cause it to send phasing signals of the same sign at a predetermined point in each cycle and signals of the other sign at all the remaining points thereof, means for receiving said signals, a plurality of distributor switches, means for cyclicly closing the switches, a. plurality of printing relays each having its coil connected to one of said distributor switches, a phasing switch opened upon energization of the coil of one only of said relays, a phasing magnet, means for connecting the energizing circuit of said phasing magnet to said phasing switch and means for advancing the time of closure of said distributor switches a predetermined amount for each cycle of closure thereof upon energization of said phasing magnet.

8. In a telegraph synchronizing system, a transmitting distributor having a brush and a commutator with a plurality of segments, driving means for relatively rotating the brush and commutator, a tape transmitter having a plurality of transmitting switches, each comprising a tongue and positive and negative contacts, each of said tongues being connected to a segment of the transmitting distributor, means for switching one of the segments from its'tongue to a potential source of one sign and all the other tongues to a potential of another sign, whereby during each relative revolution of the brush and commutator a phasing current of one sign is sent through one segment of the commutator and ergization of one of said coils, a clutch comprising a pawl member and a ratchet member, one of said members being connected to the brush of the receiving distributor and the other member being connected to the driving means thereof, a phasing magnet having an energizing circuit extending through said switch and an armature for relatively moving said pawl and ratchet members a predetermined amount each revolution 10 when the phasing magnet coil is energized.

JAMES A. SPENCER. 

